Meet the Face of Juvenile DiabetesLucas Miller

Lucas was diagnosed with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes on March 22, 2008, at only three years old. He will be insulin-dependent forthe rest of his life. Each day he has to endure, at a minimum, 4 finger pricks and 4 insulin injections, that equals 2,920 times he will have to be pricked and given shots this year alone. By the time he is 18 years old that number will be 43,800! In addition to his rigorous blood testing and insulin shots, everything he consumes must be weighed and measured, and his blood levels even need to be checked while he sleeps and plays. Lucas is always a trooper and rarely complains. As you’ve seen, he is full of smiles, laughs, and three-year-old mischief, amidst his daily diabetes routine. We hope he will be able to give his own shots by the time he goes to school. Lucas continually amazes us and is a blessing to have in our lives as a daily reminder of spirit, humility, and a positive attitude.

Every year, more than 30,000 new cases of type 1 diabetes--the most severe form of the disease--are diagnosed in the United State alone, a large and growing percentage of them children. Day-to-day living is a challenge for people with type 1 diabetes--and multiple insulin injections are only the beginning. But what's even harder is facing the reality of the devastating complications that can stem from their condition.

As you can imagine, it's easy for people with type 1 diabetes to feel that their future is uncertain. But thanks to research funded by organizations such as JDRF, people with diabetes have a new sense of hope. Scientists have made enormous progress, and a cure for type 1 diabetes is now within reach.

Jennifer Miller, Lucas' mom

JOA's Connection to Juvenile Diabetes

We have found the best support, education and advocates for Juvenile Diabetes, or type 1 diabetes is JDRF, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Currently, there is no cure for type 1 diabetes, but there are some control measures which include insulin, diet and exercise. We have found that attitude makes an enormous impact on your wellbeing - we know some amazing people that have lived long and happy lives mainly because they maintained that attitude to stay alive! These people have taught us that everyday is a Gift, and for that we are grateful!

We have four family members with type 1 diabetes. They do 5-6 finger pokes a day to test his/her blood sugar. They don’t mind the shots or finger pokes, but even with the best diabetes management their sugar numbers bounce all over the place. The sugar level fluctuation is what causes complications and issues for diabetics. Until there is a cure, the management allows the kids to live but does not “fix” them.

JDRF has a great website as well as tons of informational tools to use and learn! Please take a minute and read through this page to learn more about Juvenile Diabetes